If you do pick up the game, then you should have access to all of the content that's been released thus far. The bundle also includes the title's first expansion pack, Scorched Earth, as well as some PlayStation 4 exclusive cosmetic skins for the Gigantosaurus and your in-game character. The ARK: Survivor's Pack will go on sale in both North America and Europe next Tuesday, December 6, for $54.99 USD and €49.99, respectively.

So, naturally, I'd be pretty ecstatic about any changes made to my harsh surroundings (such as the one that'll be revealed tomorrow for ARK: Survival Evolved), if nothing else but for the slight chance that something will be added to improve my survivability. We don't know a great deal about the forthcoming update, but Studio Wildcard was kind enough to leave us with a teaser image to analyze and overthink.

The new Redwood Biome is, as you might expect, filled with the huge trees that were the setting for a certain Lucas film. Much like the furry inhabitants of that area, you, too, can build your own tree-based cities with wood and metal platforms, buildings, and retractable ladders. Of course, if you manage to tame the newly added (and massive) Titanosaur, you don't need to worry about those treetop dwellers raising the defenses; you can just march on in and do what you want.

On the Xbox One, the latest patch brings all of its content up-to-date with all of the content through patch v240 on the PC. It also fixes some bugs and memory crashes along with the Center map and the 100 player servers for that map. As far as the Center map itself is concerned, it is described as "a rich, hand-drawn Tolkien-esque aesthetic... filled with stunning lighting effects, lava rivers, giant picturesque mountains, misty floating islands, ancient underground ice caves, and more."

Originally slated for a summer release, the game has been pushed back, according to the developer, due to all the features and dinosaurs the developer that have been added (and the more that are in the works). Of course, this news also comes after Studio Wildcard and Trendy Entertainment (the developers behind Dungeon Defenders) reached a $40 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by Trendy as they contended that a former employee - Jeremy Stieglitz - was in breach of his contract and working on ARK in secret. Stieglitz was also, according to the suit, attempting to hire Trendy employees out from under the studio in order to come work at Studio Wildcard.

]]>
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/14136/ark-survival-evolved-adds-official-mods-delayed-release.html
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/14136/ark-survival-evolved-adds-official-mods-delayed-release.htmlSplitscreen Feature Now Live on Xbox OneJason Love

For those who may be unfamiliar with them, the devs have a forum thread on their website that goes into more detail about how these non-dedicated servers work. Essentially, a player can create one of these servers by choosing to host a session and specifying the appropriate settings. The server will only exist while the host is active so you can't get back into it when the host is not playing. Additionally, players are tethered to the host by a range of 200 meters, so you're not free to roam about wherever you choose. Studio Wildcard has plans to improve some of these current limitations, but for now, if you want to combo co-op with your friends, this is the only way.

]]>
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/13932/splitscreen-feature-now-live-on-xbox-one.html
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/13932/splitscreen-feature-now-live-on-xbox-one.htmlARK: Survival Evolved Patch Delivers the Gallimimus and Other FeaturesCecilia GoodIt seems that the developers at Studio Wildcard love to surprise and delight players of ARK: Survival Evolved with a steady stream of new content. Patch 233 includes a whole slew of goodies, with a new dino featured. The Gallimimus hauls three people around, allowing two friends to tag along and attack anything that moves. This new mount is one of ...

Per the developer's patch notes, the splitscreen support is for "online and local play," which we are taking to mean that the game will support what we call "combo co-op." Two players will be able to play on the same Xbox One together and also hop online to play with friends.

]]>
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/13824/xbox-one-version-of-ark-survival-evolved-receives-update.html
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/13824/xbox-one-version-of-ark-survival-evolved-receives-update.htmlProcoptodon Joins the World of ARK: Survival EvolvedCecilia Good

The giant marsupial is three times the size of a present day kangaroo, and this size gives players obvious advantages in the game. Procoptodon can leap great distances, in addition to scaling large walls or other impediments.

The world of ARK mixes prehistoric weaponry with far-future technology that baffles the likes of our modern minds, creating a unique atmosphere that's filled with surprises and OH MY GOD IT'S A DINOSAUR. Players awake on the beach of a mysterious island surrounded by other confused humans. Everyone has to figure out how to stay alive, which includes hunting, harvesting, crafting, researching, taming the local inhabitants, and building shelters against the elements.

The Kairuku Waitaki is a type of penguin. Due to their docile nature and adorable appearance, they make for some popular pets. If you're more of a pragmatist and the cute-factor simply isn't enough, they have an added benefit. They can keep survivors that are standing close to them warm, due to their very high body temperature. Their blubber can also be used for manufacturing processes. But if you do this, who's the real monster?! (On an unrelated note, the baby Kairuku are the most blubber-rich.)